New Puri collector, SP take charge
Bhubaneswar: The new collector and SP of Puri, Chanchal Rana and Pinak Mishra, promptly took charge on Sunday, with the mandate to ensure smooth conduct of the remaining rituals of Rath Yatra festival, which will conclude with Niladri Bije on July 8.
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This was the first time the district's administrative and police heads were transferred during the middle of Odisha's biggest festival. Outgoing collector Siddharth Shankar Swain and SP Vinit Agrawal, were posted as officers on special duty (OSD) of the general administration (GA) department and state police headquarters, respectively.
Rana and Mishra sought everyone's cooperation ahead of Sandhya Darshan, Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha and Niladri Bije to be observed on different days.
Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, "The govt promptly intervened. Steps are being taken to ensure that the festival's remaining days are peaceful. The probe committee is expected to submit its report within a month."TNN
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